Typhoon Soulik/Huaning Early Evening Update

Typhoon Soulik is now moving just south of the Japanese Islands and is currently heading towards Taiwan. The center was last located approximately 60km south southwest of Ishigaki (pop. 50,000) or about 280km east southeast of Taipei, Taiwan. According to JMA maximum sustained winds are down to 140kph with gusts of up to 195kph. Soulik is moving west northwestward at 20kph.

Radar Image from JMA

Latest radar image out of Yaeyema/Miyakojima showing the outer eyewall affecting the islands with the inner eyewall passing just to the south. These bands of rain could drop up to 20mm of rain per hour. Along with the rains, strong winds are also being reported now in the islands. A station reported sustained winds of about 130kph and another one reported a gust of about 165kph. Even Okinawa, which is farther north reported winds of up o 120kph earlier today. For the latest radar data, please click HERE (JMA Website)

Taiwan will soon feel the effects of Soulik and the conditions will only get worse as the night goes on. We expect Soulik to make landfall in Northern Taiwan early tomorrow morning and will move close to Taipei. Winds of up to 160kph and rainfall accumulations of up to 300mm are possible in Taiwan. By Saturday afternoon, Soulik is forecast to make its second and final landfall in the province of Fujian in Southeastern China.

We’ll continue to have updates on this system as it nears landfall. Stay safe!